The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE’s Warriors have paid the price for their poor run in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with their recent back-to-back defeats by Ghana leaving them with a huge dent, as they dropped five places on the latest FIFA world soccer rankings.
The new rankings were released on Thursday.
The Warriors, who lost 1-3 in Cape Coast on October 9, before going down 0-1 three days later in Harare, are now ranked 118th in the world.
They also slid a place down the ladder to 29th on the continental rankings.
The Warriors, who have had three coaches – Joey Antipas, Zdravko Logarusic and Norman Mapeza – preside over the World Cup qualifiers, are going through one of their worst years in their history as they have only managed a single victory in 16 matches.
They anchor Group G of the World Cup qualifiers with a single point and the same number of goals from four matches.
A massive nine-point gap now exists between Zimbabwe and Group G log leaders, South Africa, who are now 66th in the world, up from 73rd.
So poor have Zimbabwe become that they are now ranked below Namibia, who sit on number 108.
Uganda’s Cranes (82nd), neighbours Zambia (87th) and Congo (97th) are also all ranked above the Warriors now.
West African giants Senegal maintained top spot in Africa, in a top five that is completed by Tunisia, Morocco, continental champions Algeria and Nigeria.
Ghana are 7th, while South are 12th in Africa.
Belgium are still the top team in the world, followed by former world champions Brazil, UEFA Nations League champions France, Italy and England.
